FSU's Trip To The National Championship Cost University $2.82 Million, Left School With Initial $500,000 Loss

The Florida State football program won a national title this season-their first since 1999-beating Auburn in the BCS National Championship Game, 34-31, but it came at a cost.

A report by Tallahassee.com says that the Seminole's trip to the national championship game cost the school $2.82 million, and left the state university with an original $500K loss, though a net profit is expected eventually, according to documents released Monday.

Most of the $2.82 million went to travel expenses ($1.73 million). The school sent 237 people to Pasadena, Calif. for eight days as part of the football team's traveling party; they sent 416 people as part of the band and cheerleader's group for four days; and 46 university representatives for four days, as well.

Florida State spent $710, 385 on "net ticket expenses" for more than 2,000 tickets that the school purchased for its own purposes-band, faculty, etc. The university sold 22,740 total tickets at prices between $215 and $385, but only collected revenue for 20,615.

The school expects to make back the $481,213 it lost on the trip by:

Getting its share of the cumulative bowl revenue which is split among ACC members

Licensing national championship gear

Increasing season ticket prices and booster donations

For a comparison, Auburn spent more than $3 million on its national championship trip. Alabama spent $3.4 million to attend the national championship in Miami in 2013, including more than $800K on food at the team's hotel. In 2010, Alabama spent $4.3 million to play Texas in Pasadena.